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Bulletin
In the realm of politics, a supporter of Kamala Harris claims that Joe Biden failed to keep a promise. Senator Laphonza Butler, a Democrat from California, discusses her time in the Senate during her last week in office.
Written by Lisa Lerer
Laphonza Butler has been a senator from California for approximately 15 months, during which time she has worked closely with Vice President Kamala Harris, a partnership that has spanned 15 years.
This week, I had a conversation with Butler, who has been in a long partnership with Harris since they first met when Butler was a union leader in Los Angeles. Butler’s unique perspective sheds light on the reasons behind her party’s loss in the presidential election and offers insights on how it can move forward and rebuild.
Harris has not publicly discussed the reasons for her loss. Butler believes that part of the blame lies with President Biden for breaking a campaign promise by running for re-election. However, simply blaming Biden is not the solution according to Butler. She suggests that Democrats need to shift from talking to actively listening, truly listening.
Governor Gavin Newsom chose Butler to take over the vacant U.S. Senate seat following the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein in September 2023. Since Feinstein opted not to seek re-election, this week marks her final days in the Senate. On Monday, Representative Adam Schiff will be officially inaugurated as California’s newest senator.
The interview underwent editing to make it more concise and easier to understand
LL: What do you believe was the reason for Harris’ loss
LB: The American citizens were looking for something different. They desired a candidate who they believed embodied change. And I believe that is the main reason.
Was it a mistake for Biden to run for
When President Biden first took office, he indicated that he would only be in power temporarily. This was what most people expected. Therefore, it might have been more beneficial for him to stick to that plan. It is undeniable that his presidency has been successful. In the future, his time in office will be seen as one of the most influential in my lifetime. However, when you set certain expectations with the public, it is important to follow through on them.
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